Ten years on, the Philippines has not yet lost its ability to surprise me. The ten items I’ve listed here link to articles I’ve written elsewhere on different (and to my mind interesting) aspects of Philippines travel – feel free to click through, to learn what I’ve learned.

1. A comprehensive trip around the Philippines takes two weeks, at least.

Many first-time travelers think of the Philippines as a series of scary headlines: the capital Manila’s horrendous traffic, the terrorist activities in the Philippines’ southern island Mindanao.

But a well-planned itinerary that steers clear of the Philippines’ less savory places reveals a multi-faceted archipelago – a volcanic cone even more perfect than Japan’s Mount Fuji; a colonial heritage that combines influences from Spain and the rest of Asia; and island-hopping opportunities that sail through gorgeous blue seas and karst islands reaching out from its depths.

If you can’t work your itinerary around Manila’s airport, I’ve also written a list of survival tips for passengers flying into the congested international gateway. Several new “P2P” (point-to-point) bus services have made Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) less of a nightmare than it used to be.

Lechon de pugon and chicharon from Guagua, Pampanga

3. If you think Philippines food sucks, you haven’t eaten at the right places.

“I think that’s how our culture works – we’re not really big originators, our idea of originality is borne from the ability to adapt foreign influences and come up with some thing new, which is so true with Kapampangan cooking,” Brian explained.

Little known fact: you can pair wine with Filipino food. You can’t go wrong with a food-friendly Riesling, which Filipino wine expert Chie Gatchalian says “is pretty versatile, and will also go well with a wide range of Filipino dishes, including moderately spicy ones.”

El Nido, Philippines

4. Boracay’s closure is no loss – not when Palawan is an option.

The “world’s best island” (thanks Travel+Leisure Magazine) should be your first choice for beaches and sea, Boracay be damned. Even if you don’t leave the capital Puerto Princesa, you’ll get generous portions of beaches, culture and cuisine (the latter includes a surprisingly awesome craft beer, courtesy of the ladies of Palaweno Brewery). Stay at the industrial-meets-artistic Canvas Boutique Hotel when you visit – as you can read in our review, Canvas leverages elements of Palawan’s best to create a wholly unique stay experience.

But it would be a shame if you missed out on the rest of the island, where jungles, karst islands and the occasional Spanish-era fort lie on the sidelines of a long drive to the north.

Partying at Sinulog Festival, Philippines

5. the Philippines is a great place to get drunk with friends…

…or to make new friends over drinks. Catholicism arguably kept Filipinos attached to strong drink – so attached, it’s said, that Prohibition (which arrived during American rule over these islands) was simply not enforced by the colonial authorities.

Sari-sari stores (village variety stores) often have groups of men drinking up front, even in far-flung barrios – travelers are often invited to join in the fun, drinking cheap gin “tagay” (round robin) style into the wee hours.

While Prohibition never really caught on, upscale Manila residents appeal to its mystique with a proliferation of speakeasies lurking in the capital’s financial districts. (Read my 2016 list of top speakeasies for suggestions.)

“It’s the emergence of what’s called a multi-centered city,” Alcazaren told us. “That’s a direction a lot of megalopolises are going through in Asia, where urban areas are expanding much faster than in the West.”

Trekker taking picture of Batad Rice Terraces

7. Drive out of Manila to see the Philippines at its most awesome.

Forget taking the airplane – you can just hitch a ride on a bus to connect to some of the Philippines’ most impressive travel sites. This list of weekend getaways from Manila takes you to a diverse assortment of road-trip destinations – from a secluded beach to a well-preserved colonial town.

Two of my favorite getaways can be reached by bus. I’ve already mentioned Brian Ocampo’s food tour of Pampanga province north of Manila, where the itinerary touches several old towns and three full meals of classic Pampanga fare.

8. Don’t miss out on Mindanao.

Western governments tell its citizens to steer clear of Mindanao, but sadly they paint with an overbroad brush: the eastern part of the island is completely under control, and blissfully free of package tourists.

The main air gateway to Mindanao – the city of Davao (full disclosure: this writer’s hometown) – is also the main launchpad to adventure in the rest of the island. I particularly recommend heading northeast through Tagum to Mati, a seaside town facing the Pacific Ocean. I wrote about going up to Cateel in Davao Oriental, a trip with a deeply personal aspect.

Luckily, you can find “pasalubong” stores in most heavily-trafficked tourist stops around the island, catering to almost every taste. Traditional fabrics? Musical instruments? Tasty snacks? Buy one or more of these, and learn the story behind them, for a doubly rewarding “pasalubong” giving experience at the end of your trip.